Please Stop The Pope

Chapter 76

What Happened at the Beach

The two-day summit between Japan and Korea was successfully concluded.

Prime Minister Sasaki apologized to the people of South Korea from start to finish and promised compensation for the damages during the colonial period.

Although most of the actual victims who could claim compensation from the Japanese government had already passed away, just the fact that they promised compensation was enough to overcome the greatest hurdle in the Korea-Japan relationship.

The two countries declared that they would start exchanges in various fields, including the Awakened, economy, diplomacy, and culture.

It would be difficult to overcome the long history of hatred in a single day, but simply opening the floodgates for dialogue at this opportunity was already a significant achievement, according to experts.

What about the public’s reaction?

Unfortunately, the attention of the South Korean people was diverted. This was due to the articles that broke out right after the summit ended.

“Shocking Truth of an Orphanage. The Horrific Tragedy Exposed by Irregular Kim Siwoo!”

“A Huge Corruption Scandal Involving Villains, Public Officials, and Major Guilds!”

“The Ugly Truths that Control the Darkness of South Korea are Coming to Light.”

“President Seo Shin-woo Holds an Emergency Press Conference and Apologizes to the Public. ‘I Will Spend the Remainder of My Term Cutting Out the Malignant Tumors of South Korea.’”

“Leaders of Both the Ruling and Opposition Parties Agree to Convene an Emergency National Assembly. The Main Agenda: ‘Irregular Special Law.’”

The impact of the Korea-Japan summit was momentarily overshadowed, as the truth about the orphanage incident, in which I was involved, came to light, igniting fury throughout South Korea.

Five years after the Dimension Opening, during the era of the Awakened and the changes in society, all the accumulated negative elements began to erupt at once.

To summarize the proposed Irregular Special Law that was being discussed in the National Assembly, it was a law that would grant me several privileges.

“Brother Minsoo, have you heard about the special law?”

“I’m aware of the most controversial point on the internet. It’s that if His Holiness the Pope personally participates in the villain subjugation mission, all legal responsibilities arising during the mission will be exempted. That clause is stirring up a lot of commotion in various communities.”

Just as Minsoo had explained, the Irregular Special Law could be summed up as a law that justifies my use of force.

Of course, I wouldn’t be granted immunity at all times.

It’s a partial immunity that only activates when there is a request for cooperation from the government.

To give an extreme example, if I were to commit a crime against innocent civilians, that immunity wouldn’t apply.

Though that’s unlikely to happen, it’s just an example.

“What’s the public opinion like?”

“Most of the media outlets are already using the example of the U.S. Irregular Law to push for the passage of the bill. Some media outlets are publishing critical articles, but public opinion is already leaning toward supporting the bill. You can see for yourself.”

This was the conference room in Minsoo’s company, located in Hapjeong.

Minsoo pressed a button on the remote control and pulled up a community site on the screen.

Content: Monster Wave single-handedly blocked it, took care of the terrorist situation last time, went to Japan and caught a national crisis monster without any compensation. Hahaha, doesn’t this deserve a pass? And now, he even offers to help clean up the villains, yet the idiots who are trying to stop this? Are they just morons?

Who is trying to block Kim Siwoo?

ㄴ Hahaha, why should we block him?

ㄴ Are you going to sell the country to Kim Siwoo?

ㄴ Don’t feed this guy. He’s probably a jealous idiot who is bitter about Kim Siwoo doing well.

Japan and the U.S. have already actively shown support. It’s only natural to grant privileges to Irregulars.
They say China expressed regret, though?

ㄴ China’s regret = It’s going well.

“As you can see, even on a site where good words aren’t often seen, there are huge shields attached to this. The portal site comments are the same, and even some fan communities are reportedly planning to protest.”

“Supportive protests?”

“I’ve heard they mean the bill should be passed right away.”

Thinking about it, I realized I had done a lot of things up until now.

The fact that public opinion was favorable toward me was, in a way, proof that I had been working hard all this time.

From the Guro District Gate to the Yamata-no-Orochi subjugation, and now this orphanage incident.

I had solved quite a few significant cases.

I exhaled lightly as I listened to Minsoo’s explanation.

“Do you think this will go well, Brother Minsoo?”

“Of course. It’s not the best situation for the Guild Coalition to get involved right now. Some guilds belonging to Guild Coalition are involved in this case, so they won’t be able to escape responsibility.”

According to Aiden, there was an internal power struggle going on within the Guild Coalition, divided by factions.

It was said to be related to Baegmyeong Church, and in the midst of that, a huge issue broke out.

As a result, the Guild Coalition had been thrown into massive chaos.

While they might unite in the face of the crisis, it didn’t really concern me.

Before they could unite, I could just strike them a few more times.

Minsoo gave me a brief report on the current situation, and I gave him a soft smile.

Then, I spoke in a subtle voice.

“By the way, aren’t you a little disappointed that you didn’t get baptized?”

Minsoo hadn’t been baptized during the last baptism ceremony.

Instead, five of Minsoo’s company employees were baptized. I thought Minsoo would be baptized, but it didn’t apply to him.

I wasn’t sure why exactly, but it probably had something to do with the divine power seed that settled in his body right after he saw Limen.

“I believe Limen has her plans.”

“I will definitely ask her to provide after-sales service later.”

“I’m just grateful that you’re looking out for me.”

Limen must have some plan as well.

I could ask about it later. However, what worried me was that I hadn’t received any contact from Limen recently.

She wasn’t reachable when needed, right?

“Anyway.”

I subtly changed the topic of conversation.

“Do you have time tonight?”

“I finished filming the Dokkaebi Guild video yesterday, so I don’t have any other appointments.”

“That’s good. Let’s go see the sea in Incheon tonight. I also have something to do there.”

“Suddenly to Incheon…are you serious?”

“Don’t want to?”

“It’s not that. But wouldn’t Leo or Luna be more suitable to accompany Your Holiness, not me?”

“Ah, they have to teach the kids. Besides, I think you’ll be much more reliable for this matter, Brother Minsoo.”

Despite my continuous suggestions, Minsoo had no choice but to nod in agreement.

“Alright. But may I ask why Incheon…?”

“Hehe, it’s a secret.”

If you knew, it wouldn’t be fun, right?

They might even run away.

Hehe.

“Your Holiness, I have one question.”

“Speak comfortably.”

“Didn’t President Seo Shin-woo personally ask for caution until the law is enacted?”

“That’s right.”

“But this…”

“He asked me to be cautious, but he didn’t say not to do anything, right? And I’m just out for a stroll, just a stroll.”

I said casually to Minsoo, whose face had turned pale.

I wasn’t unaware of why Minsoo was worried.

It was understandable because we were in a secret marketplace around Incheon Port, a place known as the black market.

This was my first time here, so I didn’t know what it had been like before the Dimension Opening.

I had heard of such places from In-wook, but seeing it firsthand, the atmosphere was much different from what I had imagined.

When you think of a black market, you usually imagine a dark and secretive place, filled with rampant crime.

However…

“It’s surprisingly crowded for a black market.”

People walking around nonchalantly wearing masks.

“We buy monster byproducts at top prices!”

“We repair and sell various equipment. Come in and take a look!”

“We sell consumables, including recovery items, at affordable prices…”

People were hawking monster byproducts or equipment.

And I could see patrols, who appeared to be in charge of security, walking around, so it didn’t seem like an unregulated area.

“I thought villains would swarm here as soon as we entered, but it seems that’s not the case. The security here doesn’t seem too bad.”

“It’s been a long time since it was called a black market. Now, it has become a major route for players to obtain goods. See over there? The players with armbands are from the Hive Guild.”

“An unspoken agreement of society, is that it?”

“Exactly. There are similar black markets in Busan and Mokpo. They are essential facilities for players. Originally, these were government-managed facilities, but three years ago, management rights were transferred to the Guild Coalition.”

Three years ago seemed to refer to the incident when brother Jin-young went to Japan.

Minsoo added a brief explanation as he watched the busy people around.

“Players who operate without belonging to a guild, production-type players, and small to medium-sized guilds are the key customers here. Direct transactions between players, like those done via smartphone apps, happen most actively here.”

“Where the government’s influence doesn’t reach, and money gathers.”

It was the perfect place for villains to hide.

I scratched my chin as I continued walking.

Since I was wearing a mask, no one among the passersby recognized me.

The divine power was useful in moments like this—earth’s players couldn’t easily detect me.

In other words, as long as I hid my face, I could roam freely even in places like this.

“The reason you didn’t bring the other executives with you is…”

“Isn’t it obvious? They’d stand out!”

Leo’s build is hard to hide, and Luna’s beauty is the same.

Even with a mask, Luna’s looks can’t be concealed.

Besides, they were both unfamiliar with this Incheon black market, so Minsoo was the most suitable person for the job.

Hearing my straightforward answer, Minsoo’s expression grew even sterner.

It seemed like he finally realized why I had come here.

“Your Holiness, you didn’t come here to shop, did you?”

“Shopping? Is there something you’re interested in? Just let me know, I can buy anything. Though it may not look like it, we are now a wealthy order.”

If it’s for Minsoo, one of the founding members of the order, I’d buy anything for him.

From MyTube to everything else, I’ve owed him enough that I wouldn’t hesitate to do this.

But it seemed Minsoo didn’t want that answer.

With a heavy sigh, Minsoo spoke in a quiet voice.

“If something happens here, the Hive Guild will have to step in…but I’m sure you’re already prepared for that, Your Holiness.”

“The documents the Americans handed over said they saw traces of Purifiers here. Incheon is close, so I couldn’t just ignore it.”

I walked ahead, leading Minsoo.

The reason I came here today was simple.

I came to find the Purifiers’ traces, in other words, to track magi.

According to the information, Purifiers, presumed villains, had been spotted somewhere around here.

“I really like the abilities of the new friend.”

“Do you sense something?”

“Magi is not easily hidden.”

The information provided by the Americans was accurate.

“There’s something here. I need to go deeper inside.”

From the moment I arrived at the black market, I could tell.

The magic energy, or the magi’s aura, was emanating from deeper within the black market.

It seemed someone had set up several devices to conceal the magi, but they couldn’t deceive me.

[Magi response detected within your detection radius.]

[As a result, the active skill has been automatically activated. The Magi response is maximized and delivered.]

The magi was coming from the inner part of the black market.

The amount of magi detected was significant, more than just a casual emission.

Could they be conducting a ritual?

“Your Holiness, the Hive Guild doesn’t send patrols past this block. It’s considered that dangerous.”

“Dangerous, you say?”

I slightly raised the corners of my mouth at Minsoo’s words and replied in a playful voice.

“You know very well that we’re not the ones in danger, right, Minsoo?”

“…Do you think it won’t get noisy?”

“Don’t worry, we’ll handle it quietly. We must honor President Seo’s request as much as possible. I plan to take care of it cleanly, so there won’t be any trouble. Don’t worry.”

The dead don’t speak, after all. Isn’t that the cleanest way?

I lightly clenched my fist and passed by a sign that said .

It looked like tonight was going to be an exciting one.